Hoopeston council hears about water tank repairs

Michael Streff, environmental engineer for Foth Infrastructure & Environment, presented an overview of the planned water tank repair project to city council members Tuesday.

The proposal was given to the EPA primary reviewer Chad Rice who will review the documents after the first of the year.

“I anticipate a preliminary loan agreement by the first part of February,” Streff said. He added about $1.2 billion would be available to fund these projects through the Clean Water Act. “Governor Quinn is promoting the need to take advantage of these funds.”

In other business, council members:

Learned city ordinances will be updated, including the ordinance that all dogs would have to be registered and would include purchasing city tags. Neutered and spayed dogs would be $2 while non-neutered/spayed dogs $10.

Council members unanimously approved the tax levy in the amount of $643,362, an increase from last year of 2.73 percent.

Approved unanimously placing the electric aggregation proposal on the April municipal ballot to lower electric rates for the residents in the city. According to Crusinberry, if the proposal passes, everyone is in the electric aggregation unless a resident signs a waiver to opt out of the program.

Alderwoman Sue Comstock reminded attending residents of the Community dinner at noon on Christmas Day at the Hoopeston MultiAgency for area residents and Rossville residents who will be alone or are shut-ins. Meals will be delivered to shut-ins.

What’s next

City council members will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 2, at City Hall, 301 W. Main St., due to the regular meeting date falling on New Year’s Day.